Within the complex environment of postwar Iraq, junior officers are being developed into creative, innovative, and independent leaders. This unique leader development opportunity is a result of the ambiguous, complex, and unpredictable environment of postwar Iraq.

The strategic leadership literature is replete with long lists of the knowledge, skills, and abilities. Looking across the literature on strategic leadership, current Army strategic leader competencies, and the future environment, six meta-competencies can be derived: identity, mental agility, cross-cultural savvy, interpersonal maturity, world-class warrior, and professional astuteness.

Today's U.S. soldiers, much like soldiers of the past, fight for each other. Researchers also found that soldiers cited ideological reasons such as liberation, freedom, and democracy as important factors in combat motivation.

The author examines the current company commander experience and concludes that the Army values innovation in its rhetoric, but the reality is that junior officers are seldom given opportunities to be innovative in planning training; to make decisions; or to fail, learn, and try again.